Calvert-Lewin: Young Guns Pushing Each Other On

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says the young members of Marco Silva's squad are driving each other on to reach new levels.

The 21-year-old has been a regular in the Everton squad this season alongside England Under-21 teammates and fellow U20 World Cup winners Ademola Lookman, Tom Davies and Jonjoe Kenny.

Calvert-Lewin has made 28 appearances to date, with Lookman next on 17 followed by Davies (16) and Kenny on 12.

The former Sheffield United trainee says the presence of other young players within the squad all sharing similar experiences has been a huge help in dealing with the challenge of trying to establish himself within the senior squad. As does the shared desire to become integral parts of a bright Everton future.

“It has been good to experience the things I have over the past year with people of a similar age,” said Calvert-Lewin.

“We’ve all been in it together and we come in to Finch Farm, sit down at the breakfast table and talk about how we can do better and progress.

“We’re all close, best mates, really, and we’re all honest with each other. We know when we have done well and when we haven’t.

“It means a lot to us. We are here to be the best players we can and do the best for Everton.

“We know if things aren’t going so well the supporters feel it – and we feel it as well. I certainly do.

“When we are doing well, you feel the joy of the fans and know what it brings them. It makes your weekend, your week.

“We all want to succeed here.”

Blues boss Silva has also been a huge source of support for Calvert-Lewin. The Portuguese has previously spoken of his belief in the young frontman and has proven that faith by handing the forward starts against such sides as Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal.

But Calvert-Lewin recognises the need to work on his all-round game if he is carry on learning on the job in Everton’s first team.

“I think the manager has the same belief as I do,” he added. “I know what I am capable of on a football pitch. I know there is a lot more to come and the type of player I want to be.

“I don’t want to be just a target man, or someone who works hard, or a player who runs in behind.

“I like to think I have more strings to my bow and can become a link player as well.

“The manager encourages that and knows that when I am at my best and these things are coming off, I am hard to play against.

“I think he wants to see it more consistently – and I am working hard to achieve that because it is what will keep me in the team.

“Getting back in the side maybe shows I have been doing the right things and what he was asking from me.

“If you go a long period of time without playing – that is when you have to be most ‘at it’.

“I thought, ‘I am out of the firing line, so now is my time to listen and learn and try to improve as a player. To look at what the manager wants from me and try to show that on a regular basis’.

“The hard work is paying off and hopefully will continue to, so I can impose myself more on games.

“I want to lead the line for Everton, so I need to be big and strong. And I need a lot of strings to my bow.

“It is in my hands to become strong and faster, I can control those things. I will work hard to make sure that is what happens, so I can compete physically against these Premier League centre halves.”